File photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / FeverpitchedFile photo courtesy of © Can Stock Photo Inc. / Feverpitched
London

OPP Festive RIDE Campaign Begins Monday

In an effort to help make sure everyone makes it through to the new year, provincial police are launching their 2015 Festive RIDE campaign.

The public safety initiative that aims to keep drunk drivers off Ontario roads officially gets underway Monday. It will continue until January 2.

Traditionally, the number of impaired drivers busted by the OPP increases during the holidays. Police will set up traffic stops around the clock to help cut down on the number of tragic collisions on OPP patrolled roadways.

Between January and October, there have been 35 deaths due to impaired driving, an increase of 3% over the same period last year.

“So far this year, the OPP have laid over 6800 alcohol and drug impaired driving charges. This is an unbelievable statistic," says Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair. "There are many ways to get home after a party. Don’t drink or do drugs and drive, it’s just not worth it. I encourage everyone to have a plan to get home before they get behind the wheel this holiday season. Ontario Provincial Police officers will be vigilant about stopping vehicles and finding drivers who are impaired by any means.”

Police say the number of drug impaired drivers they've encountered is also on the rise in Ontario. As such, they will have drug recognition officers with specialized training to identify motorists impaired by drugs.

Last year's Festive RIDE initiative saw 593 impaired driving charges laid. Licence suspensions were given to 485 motorists.

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